pick up, put away, persist with and think of

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I have four questions to ask:

No.1
I've picked out/ up a Chinese novel to give to my nephew as a gift.
I get confused why both "pick out" and "pick up" are correct?
I know "pick up " means "buy". But "pick out" doesn't have such meaning. could you please explain why "pick out" is correct here?

No.2
We should put our differences away and work together for your common goal.
My question is: can I use "aside" instead of "away"?

No.3
If we persist with our effort, we will succeed in our financial reform.
I know I can say "persist in doing something". Is "persist with something" a phrase?

No.4
I think "think about" and "think of " are of the same meaning. So are they interchangeable in the following two sentences:
Let's go skating and stop thinking about all these problems.
The job pays well, but I'm thinking of giving it up.


Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[bhaisahab]

Dear teachers,

I have four questions to ask:

No.1
I've picked out/ up a Chinese novel to give to my nephew as a gift.
I get confused why both "pick out" and "pick up" are correct?
I know "pick up " means "buy". But "pick out" doesn't have such meaning. could you please explain why "pick out" is correct here? "to Pick out" means "to choose", "I've chosen a Chinese novel to

No.2
We should put our differences away and work together for your common goal.
My question is: can I use "aside" instead of "away"? Yes you can.

No.3
If we persist with our effort, we will succeed in our financial reform.
I know I can say "persist in doing something". Is "persist with something" a phrase? Yes it is.

No.4
I think "think about" and "think of " are of the same meaning. So are they interchangeable in the following two sentences:
Let's go skating and stop thinking about all these problems.
The job pays well, but I'm thinking of giving it up. Yes they are.


Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

I hope that this helps.

[jiang]

Dear bhaisahab,

Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Best wishes,

Jiang

I hope that this helps.

[David L.]

Note that this interchangeability does not apply in:

think of : have a particular opinion of : "I think of him as a friend."
"She does not think highly of modern art."

Note that 'think about' is more 'casual' than 'think of' which is a little more formal, and more 'poetic':

I was just thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you were going!
Fiddle-de-dee! I'll think about that tomorrow.

I was thinking of you yesterday in your time of grief. I'm so sorry I was unable to attend the funeral service.
Scarlett, I was thinking of you yesterday and hoping that your wedding would be just as beautiful.

[jiang]

Dear David,

Thank you very much for your explanation. I understand your explanation.
Could you please confirm that in my two sentences "think about"and "think of" are interchangeable.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

Note that this interchangeability does not apply in:

think of : have a particular opinion of : "I think of him as a friend."
"She does not think highly of modern art."

Note that 'think about' is more 'casual' than 'think of' which is a little more formal, and more 'poetic':

I was just thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you were going!
Fiddle-de-dee! I'll think about that tomorrow.

I was thinking of you yesterday in your time of grief. I'm so sorry I was unable to attend the funeral service.
Scarlett, I was thinking of you yesterday and hoping that your wedding would be just as beautiful.